Minnie laughs. “Well, Gage says that he will consider paying Daddy back if he stops being such a…” She pauses because she can’t say what Gage called him. Her mother would clutch her pearls. “…a turd. Anyway, he’s almost finished with his trade school, so he’s hoping to leave construction. I’m really proud of him. He’s worked so hard for this. And honestly? He’s considering starting his own mechanic business, if not in engineering directly. Father admires a go-getter.”
She can hear the smile in her mother’s voice. “I’m happy if you’re happy, dear. Although-” Marla’s stage whisper returns. “Is he reallycoveredin tattoos? Goodness gracious, what willmymother think…”
“I don’t know, Mom. Grandma might find him spicy. She’s getting saucy in her dotage.” Minnie ends the call before she can be informed about what Grandma Callia would think. Besides, Gage has poked his head in through the doorway, looking impatient. “Ready to meet the realtor? Since when am I on time and you’re late?”
Minnie smiles with excitement. She’s got a good feeling about the house they’re seeing today.
Epilogue
Their new single-family home sits nestled in the middle of a cozy neighborhood, full of well-manicured lawns and fine gardens…and it will be a blessing if no one dies at the housewarming party. Minnie has her fingers crossed, maybe even her toes.
It is, without a doubt, an inadvisably gained home, won from Minnie’s father’s scheming money games. A modest place, but that’s precisely what Gage and Minnie both enjoy.
“You can braid that fine bush of yours for extra luck,” Gage says with a wink, enjoying the flare of red across Minnie’s cheekbones.
“How dare you! It’s neatly trimmed; there’s nothing to darn well braid!” Minnie continues chopping up vegetables for her grand charcuterie board. “Who do you think you’re marrying, the elusive and rare sasquatch?”
He comes around behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, kissing her neck affectionately. “I’m marryin’ a rare unicorn.” Giving her a brief squeeze, his voice drops as he asks, “You’re stressed. What else can I do to help?”
“Of course, I’m stressed! Is the smoker at temperature?”
“Yup.”
“The ice and the drinks are in the coolers on the deck?”
“Say less, woman. I’ve even got the cups out there, too, along with silverware.And napkins.” The word napkins is uttered in a reverent tone, considering Gage only ever used paper towels his whole life.
The charcuterie board is a beautiful display of color, tastes, and textures. Her mother will approve. Minnie twists from herartwork and kisses Gage on the chin. “Thank you. I’m still freaking out.”
“I’ll make you a drink. What do you want?”
The doorbell sings its charming little song, accompanied by the loud voices of Chase and Marlin. “Housekeeping! Housekeeping!” Chase squawks loudly, followed by laughter. Red was most distinctlynotinvited, not that he would have wanted to be.
Gage goes to let the two men into the house, leaving Minnie frantically looking over her setup. Her houseplants look happy and green. The appetizers are all neatly organized. Her tea corner is set up with a coffee machine for those who want it after dinner-
“What do we have here? Damn girl, have you been working on this all day?” Chase is already upon her, juggling a few cases of beer. Marlin and Gage are still talking in the front entryway, and it sounds like Gage is showing him around, Marlin’s deep voice filtering through the rooms.
She shoos Chase out of the kitchen. “Not on the table! There’s a cooler outside for those! Scoot.”
Chase laughs as he heads for the back door with his goods, saying, “Gage says you need a drink to chill. I’ll make you one. I used to bartend once upon a time, you know. The hard liquor is out there, too?”
Oh, joy, he’s going to put Minnie on the floor with whatever concoction he comes up with, isn’t he?
Saying a small prayer, Minnie awaits the moment her family arrives.
They had better behave themselves! Everyone, actually.
A heart-stopping panic nearly bowls Minnie over when the doorbell toots its little tune some time later. She’s out back with the guys, drinking something that she suspects hides all the liquor under a good flavor, while Chase tells her about all the trouble he and Gage used to get up to as boys.
He pauses, pale eyes widening in faux horror, likely mirroring her face. “The ‘rents have arrived?”
“Yes,” Minnie chokes on her own spit.
Gage is over by his new smoker, beaming with pride as Marlin ooo’s and ahhh’s over it. He looks to Minnie and gives her a reassuring look, something that says,you’ll be fine.
“Thoughts and prayers,” Chase says with a sly grin, double-pierced brow glittering in the sunlight.
Taking a massive gulp from that wild drink Chase made her, Minnie struts back into the house and goes to the front door. There’s a pleasant haze hovering about her mind, and a goofy grin somehow plasters itself on her lips. Maybe the liquid courage is working…
